30 October 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Yesupadam joined us today, along with Monica his wife
He said he would "teach the gospel until the last breath of his life"
Through them, many thousands of Indians have been blessed
And with their efforts, the Word will surely reach the rest
He then spoke about three topics starting with God's vision
Which links to Jesus' mission and the Holy Spirit's Commission

People perish without a vision, Yesupadam said
What God wants is how we should be led
God's plan for our lives includes us getting blessed
So we can glorify and represent Him to the rest
In His divine image, He did us create
And redeemed us so we could avoid our fate
He wants us to have life everlasting
His son ensured we don't face death's sting
For Jesus did his Father completely obey
This was Jesus' mission, Yesupadam did say
The Holy Spirit works together with Father and Son
It took over when Jesus' work on earth was done
For humans are weak, we need help from above
The Holy Spirit can give us both power and love
Helping people apply God's vision and Jesus' mission
Is the Holy Spirit's primary commission
For we should represent God and His power
Through our lives, every day and every hour

To Deuteronomy 26:1, Yesupadam did then refer
As an inheritance, the Promised Land God did confer
Peter and John faced many challenges and issues
But they persevered instead of complaining with tissues
Like them, we should aim to shake the nation
Even if from others, we face condemnation
We should aim to inherit, seek, and dwell in Singapore
Divine opportunities are what we are really here for
For as God looks down on each of us
He has in mind a vision and a purpose
With that in mind, our actions we should not postpone
Shirking responsibility to share the word, God will not condone

29 October 2011 : Isaiah 65-66

We completed the BSF year, looking at Isaiah 65 and 66
TL reminded us that on God's Word we should our hearts fix
For unlike our bodies, our spiritual beings will never die
Our eternal destiny - life or death - it is no lie
About "New Heavens and New Earth", TL did speak
We will share our experiences and thoughts next week

Starting with Isaiah 65 verses one to sixteen
"The eternal seriousness of sin" is clearly seen
God is always there even when we try to hide
And when we make religions and habits out of pride
For when we focus on ourselves and things of this world
We are creating idols that take the place of our Lord
How to detect an idol, TL told us five different ways
Questions we should ask of ourselves all of our days
For man-led religions dishonor God and mistreat people
Leading to self-righteousness, even under a steeple
God will punish false worshippers, for He is just
We should beware hypocrisy, only in God's word trust
Principle 1:"to reject God is an infinitely outrageous crime"
For when we sin, we are rejecting God's love at the time

Moving on to Isaiah 65 : 17-25, we can clearly gauge
That he talks of "the enduring delights of the Messianic Age"
A message of hope, words can not describe the immense delight
The new earth will have no death or sorrow, all be be right
TL also pointed us to Revelations chapters 20, 21, and 22
Even during the Millennium, there will be pockets of resistance few
But the transformation of the natural world and all the rest
Will result in our descendants leading lives truly blessed
Principle 2: "to receive God is to inherit an infinitely glorious future"
The opposite of principle 1, even if we are receiving a suture

Isaiah sixty six is about "the enduring justice of God"
Remember that He knows our hearts, inside our bod
A mere outward form of worship is dangerous, even during Lent
God wants us to be humble and contrite - so we truly repent
As He forgives us, so should we others forgive
Obeying his word is how we really must live
Glorifying God is something that can happen very quickly
Just like His return, whether we are ready or sinful and sickly
Principle 3: "Isaiah's uncompromising message of judgement and grace"
"Must still be maintained"; we must spread the Word with pace

The new heavens and the new earth will endure and so will we
In all we do, remember the blessings and punishment of eternity

26 October 2011 - ENCS

25 countries were at the Asian Pastors Equipping Conference
To Pastor Steve's "experimental" sermon, none took offense
As he had walked around town just the other day
He noticed many changes, not all were okay
He noted that the world is changing, not always for the better
We mustn't let ourselves the ways of the world fetter
In such a culture, how can we thrive?
How can we please God while we are alive?

Pastor referred to Daniel and the numbers 10, 7, and 3
A few passages from Daniel 1-6 we then did see
Within these six chapters, there are six stories
All are worth reading, none are mere allegories

Daniel and friends were 10 times better, per Daniel 1:20
The Babylonian king preferred them to his magicians aplenty
In a pagan culture, how can one be noticed and shine?
Daniel, in 1:18, did not defile himself when he did dine
No compromise, therefore to temptation he did not fall
Per Daniel 1:12-13 on three friends he did call
Saying "we are better together", with God in their hearts
The group was more powerful than just the sum of parts

Later, in Daniel 3:19, his friends were punished under a new law
The inside of a furnace 7 times hotter than normal they saw
Other gods they refused to serve or to bow to
They honored and trusted God in all they did do
God intervened and save them from the intense heat
Likewise, He loves to step into any fires we may meet
This is doubly true if persecution we do face
For alone, He does not expect us to run the race

In Daniel 6:10, the ruler was Darius the Mede
To his thirty day rule, Daniel did not heed
Daniel continued to very visibly pray
To God, 3 times every single day
This was not something that Darius could condone
So to the hungry lions Daniel was therefore thrown
To Daniel's rescue, God not surprisingly came
As a result, the lions lay down and were tame

How to be 10 times better, Steven did then say
When faced with 7 times hotter, pray 3 times a day
We can get by with a little help from our friends
And of course, help from God which never ends

In summary, so this mathematician will not forget
Adding 3 to 7, 10 I will surely get
Sticking to the math, if I add prayer even more
Onto me, more blessings and protection will surely pour

25 October 2011 - Unanswered Prayers

For inspiration, into psalms and songs this author looks
Today there are wise words from singer Garth Brooks

"Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers"

I guess one of the points of this rhyme
Is that God has His ways and His time
For a different perspective He does see
And He definitely knows what is best for me

So dear God, patience let me possess
And do not allow me to distress
For a delay or an unanswered prayer
Should never imply that You don't care

24 October 2011 - Isaiah 61-64

About Isaiah 61-64 was BSF lesson twenty eight
TL started by asking us how well upon God do we wait
He asked what we conclude about God's silence
Can we conclude anything with confidence?
For "God's promises are certain", if He says so it will be
"But their fulfillment may not be immediate" for us to see

Isaiah 61 is about "The Lord's Mission" TL did say
God will transform Israel, for that is His way
And despite all of their sins, shame, and messings
He will give them an inheritance of double blessings
God will keep His covenant, as He always has done
"The Lord's transforming grace delight in praise to God" (Principle 1)
Early Christians felt tremendous joy, nothing less
As it replaced their despair and helplessness
We should have joy no matter what the circumstances be
For God's grace can overcome any adversity we may see

Isaiah 62:1-63:6 is all about "The Lord's Salvation"
A new relationship with God, leading to transformation
This relationship forever can last
For it is not rooted in the past
A new identity comes from getting a new name
For God's redemptive powers are always the same
"The Lord's redemption of His people is also the day"
"Of the Lord's vengeance", Principle 2 did say
If the Lamb is angry, it reflects our rejection of love
But if we've been aggrieved, let justice come from above

TL then spoke about Isaiah 63:7-64:12
Into "The Lord's mercy" he did delve
Isaiah prayed for all the people of the Jerusalem town
He asked God to look and then come down
From His people, God seemed to be withholding compassion
But this often happens when wandering from Him is the fashion
For if we end up with a hardened heart
From God we will eternally be apart
Sin is power beyond our control
Without prayer, it takes a huge toll
When we pray, we should keep nothing in reserve
Asking God not to discipline as we rightly deserve
"Intercessory prayer glorifies God because it admits"
"Total dependence on Him", Principle 3 really fits

We must pray for God's will, not ours, to be done
And for His presence when circumstances are not fun

23 October 2011 - ENCS

The sermon was delivered by Steve Murrell
A three word summary of the Bible he did tell
Only fourteen minutes would he need
From John 19 : 28-30 he did read

All humanity deals with guilt and shame, Steve did say
Everyone deals with these in their own distinct way
Westerners tend to focus on guilt, Easterners on shame
But this is now intertwined due to the globalisation game

We should ask how Jesus dealt with these on the cross
Focus on His purpose, else His pain was a complete loss
The three words are "it is finished", from Jesus' last breath
They immediately preceded his humiliating earthly death

Start with "it", this is word number one
This is expiation, our atonement is done
For Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for our sin
Over death and the enemy, God did therefore win

Moving on to "is", our second key word
It is definitive, what is done by our Lord
In other words, this is our present reality
Not something that we may or may not see

"Finished" is word number three we heard today
For only Jesus can really have the last say
We are now forgiven, our guilt is gone
So we should not fall for the enemy's con

These three words are but one in the original Greek
"Tetelestai" means "it is finished", a word unique
It was often used to say that a bill was completely paid
So of sin's price we should no longer be afraid

The cross is about Jesus and what He did
Nothing we do can help our sin be rid
With His blood, His work he did sign
Thanks to Him, our future is divine

17 October 2011 - Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60 was the focus of BSF this past week
Telling us that it is God's light we should seek
About 'The Coming of The Glory of the Lord' in heaven
This is rather apt, as we are now on lesson 27

"God's Light Attracts", per verses one to nine
In this dark world, only God's light can really shine
We should also shine so that others can readily see
The Lord's glory that is available for free
His glory can serve to reunite the human race
If only to God everyone's heart doth face
Principle 1 : "The glory of the Lord shines on his people"
"And turns darkness into light" like a lit steeple
So remember to let our light shine to others
Which results in a growing number of Christian brothers

"God's Light Transforms", per verses ten through eighteen
His compassion throughout history has so often been seen
Israel will be saved, open always will be its gate
For it will be permanently safe, with no threat from hate
Those who believe should worship and serve, don't be coy
Those who do not worship and serve God, he will destroy
God is transforming Jerusalem to reflect His glory
Everlasting peace and righteousness will be the story
A long term enemy can be turned into a friend
If God is in our midst, from start to end
Principle 2 : "The glory of the Lord transforms individuals and nations"
This should be true whether we are at work or on vacations
And then to conclude the section, TL did ask instead of say
'What hope does God's transforming power give us today?"

"God's Light is Everlasting", per verses nineteen to twenty two
There is no need for sun or moon, as God's light will clearly do
As a result, in time, there will be no more night
If we display His splendour, we bring him much delight
Principle 3 : "God's people are for the everlasting display"
"Of this splendour", TL did repeatedly say

He then referred to verse 5 of 1 Peter 2
Being living stones in a spiritual house is what we should do
TL did conclude the lesson in a loud voice
"Having seen the future, we need to make a choice"

16 October 2011 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

About 1 Corinthians 13, I remind
Love is patient, love is kind
It does not envy, it does it boast
It is not proud, it humbles the most
It is not self-seeking or at any time rude
It is not easily angered even in a feud
It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
It protects, trusts, and perseveres until long in the tooth
Love never fails, that is the key
With God, love is what we can always see

16 October 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Larry brought the 'Change for Good' series to an end
After the head and heart, about habits he did attend
He started by reading from Romans 12 verse two
Don't fit into culture without thinking about what we are to do
Most of us know about killing a frog by bringing it to a boil
Ditto for our lives, from sinful habits we tend not to recoil
A habit is like a recovery pattern with frequent repetition
Also, be aware that a bad habit can become an addiction
"We are what we repeatedly do", said Aristotle the Greek
So instead of bad habits, it is good ones that we should seek

There are four characteristics of a habit Pastor did say
About each of them we must understand and of course pray
What we do automatically is number one
In the morning or stressful times, this is what gets done
What we do unconsciously is number two
From triggers or trauma these actions are due
What we do skilfully is number three
Years of practice make things seem easy
What we do comfortably is number four
Although we must exit our comfort zone a bit more.

For our habits, there is a battle ragin’
The enemy wants us to habitually sin
This can destroy our destiny- not to mention our life
Which inevitably leads to trouble and lots of strife
Paul talked of this in Romans 7:15 and 20
Even he faced trials and battles a-plenty
Pastor said we need to change our to-do list
If from our lives, big messes are to be missed

Habits are like a rut from which it is hard to move
Pastor said if we are in a rut, we should change our groove
For sin is a rut that is often hard to fix
Therefore, we need to die to sin, per Romans 6:6
James 4:17 instructs us all to live for God
Cain knew what to do but still gave sin the nod
Titus 2 verses 11 and 12 says we need to pray for grace
Saying no to ungodliness and passions of this temporal place

Like a wheel you cannot get off, habits can unfortunately be
If stuck living the rat race, God's purpose you should instead see
Romans 12:2 talks about God's perfect will
Daniel, Joseph, and Job led lives that prayer did fill
Like them, prayer should be something we do more naturally
Pastor told us 1 Corinthians 9:27, we should see
Our bodies should be disciplined like an athlete
For changing habits is no easy feat

Habits are like taking steps within a small range
If out of line, our steps must therefore change
Remember that to sin is to miss the mark,
Which of course leads us to live in the dark

In regards our habits, don't let the enemy win
Into our lives, allow God's destiny to climb in
It takes twenty one days for a bad habit to break
At the same, however, a good habit we can make

9 October 2011 - ENCS

Continuing the "Change For Good" series was Pastor Josh's task
"Is change good?" was the first question he did ask
The Lord does not change, per Malachi 3 verse 6
While He is perfect, we have so many things to fix

Josh chose "character" as his main topic
At philosophy majors he took a small kick
Ethics are what we ought to do
Morals are what we actually do
In unchanging ethics we should always trust
To these ethics, our morals must adjust
For if all the time, our goals seem to change
We will never get anywhere, very strange
We need a standard to judge movement by
The Bible of course, for it does not lie
Leviticus 26:10 tells us what we should do
"Clear out the old to make room for the new"
And per Matthew 23 verse twenty eight
The Pharisees' hypocrisy Jesus did hate
For as righteous as they appeared on the outside
Their hearts were filled with lawlessness and pride
God's law was good, it came from The Book
Instead of being good, they just wanted the look
Remember that Jesus did not want to change the law
He focused on the thoughts, not the actions others saw
Josh asked if we are living from the inside out
Our compassion lead to action, have no doubt

We then looked at verses 1-6 of Acts chapter nine
How Jesus changed Saul so that he could shine
For although all the laws Saul had been fulfilling
Pride is what his religion had been instilling
And if we judge others when they inevitably trip
That is pride and religion rather than a relationship
For better than others our works do not make
This is a prideful belief we really must shake
Saul had been persecuting believers, as if with a sword
On the road to Damascus he asked "who are you, Lord?"
And in the same way Jesus told Saul what he had to do
Obedient relationships with God are needed for Gentile and Jew
If God says to do something, "why?" we should not ask
Just trust in Him, obey, and complete the task

In Philippians 3:7-14, Paul later did conclude
That with gain from Christ he should be imbued
And later in that same passage we then saw
That righteousness depends on faith, not the law
In order to "attain resurrection from the dead"
Our sinful bodies need to be glorified instead
Per verse 12, we must press on and forget what is behind
We should let God define us, not our past remind
Verse 14 talks of pressing on towards the goal
Change does not come easy, it takes a toll
We should set our minds on things above, not of this earth
By giving our lives to Jesus so they really have worth

So do not let our pride get in the way
Of letting us make changes this very day
For we know God-driven change is for the good
Letting us think, talk, and act as we should